S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC Reduces Holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC reduced its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 9.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 11,788 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,219 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up about 2.2% of S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 18th largest position. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $6,461,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MA. NewSquare Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Navigoe LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on MA. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Macquarie decreased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Monness Crespi & Hardt lowered shares of Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $630.00 to $635.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $630.00 to $655.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $608.57.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $580.00, for a total transaction of $87,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,255 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,887,900. This trade represents a 4.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 23,207 shares of company stock worth $12,664,529. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of MA stock traded up $5.49 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $583.27. 4,581,021 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,610,146. The firm has a market cap of $531.77 billion, a PE ratio of 41.99, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $428.86 and a 1 year high of $588.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $543.93 and a 200 day moving average of $539.67.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. The business had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.31 EPS. The company's revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Profile

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.